Wooden kitchens are a style as timeless as the beloved room itself. From the earliest, most basic meeting point in a home, wood has been an essential material for fixtures and fittings making up cabinetry, flooring, shelving, islands and tables and so much more. As a result there’s now an almost infinite variety of wooden kitchens, which is fantastic for offering new possibilities, but can make it confusing when choosing which design you want to incorporate.

Whether it’s maple worktops or cherry cupboards, face-frame cabinets or overlay doors, wood is always involved regardless of whether you go for a wooden kitchen or include other materials. Here we help to make wood work for you, by pulling together some different styles:

Wooden Kitchens:

1. Traditional wooden kitchens

Like their namesake, these kitchens often contain ornate details, raised panel cabinets, and decorative moulding taken from previous centuries’ styles.

Woods used for traditional kitchens are usually one or more of oak, cherry, maple, and walnut. They tend to have a stained finish although can sometimes use a more glossy veneer.

2. Modern wooden kitchens

Almost diametrically opposed to traditional kitchens in style, these sleek, minimalist spaces often include flat, slab panel cabinets and slick, glossy worktops.

Woods used for modern kitchens can include bamboo, walnut, and high-quality plywood with a veneer. Often these are stained with neutral colours or left natural with a matte or satin finish.

3. Rustic or farmhouse wooden kitchens

Rustic Farmhouse wooden kitchen — (Credit: Leanne Ford)

Focused around big, worn worktops and beams of natural light, farmhouse kitchens are a popular choice. They incorporate a cosy, lived in feel with distressed finishes, exposed beams and open shelving making you feel at home among their rough hewn surfaces.

Often these rustic kitchens use pine, reclaimed wood or sometimes hickory. You might want to paint these in muted colours or as is often popular, leave natural and ‘unfinished’.

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4. Country cottage-style wooden kitchens

Country cottage wooden kitchen — (Credit: Jeremy Phillips)

Like the farmhouse kitchen, a country style uses wood to create a homely aesthetic, although often with more going on, using decorative elements, and a mix of open and closed storage.

You can expect to find any combination of oak, pine or maple. These can be stained to showcase the wood grain or painted in soft colours.

5. Shaker style wooden kitchens

Shaker wooden kitchen — (Credit: Paul Massey)

One of our most popular kitchen styles. Wooden shaker kitchens focus on simplicity, with recessed panel doors and minimal decoration.

These are made usually with maple, cherry or birch and are typically stained to showcase the wood grain, or painted in soft colours.

6. Scandinavian wooden kitchens

A popular aesthetic in recent years; light and airy design meets natural materials and simplicity.

These wooden kitchens tend to use birch, beech and pine. They often use a matte finish although can be left natural or lightly stained.

7. Industrial wooden kitchens

In stark contrast to its wooden counterparts, industrial kitchens make use of raw unfinished wood, combined with metal elements such as exposed piping and utilitarian design.

You could use reclaimed wood or rough sawn oak in creating your industrial worktops and cabinets. These surfaces are often left raw or with minimal finish to highlight the natural textures and imperfections.

8. Transitional wooden kitchens

Transitional wooden kitchens blend classic with contemporary in materials and styles. They tend to use clean-lined cabinets, a simple colour palette and lots of clever storage.

Woods used for transitional wooden kitchens include maple, cherry and oak. They’re usually stained or painted in neutral colours and finished with a semi-gloss.

9. Eco-friendly wooden kitchens

As you might guess these kitchens are focused on sustainably sourced woods, with reclaimed bamboo, or FSC-certified woods.

Not only do wood types include reclaimed wood, bamboo, but also sustainably harvested hardwoods like the ones used at Beams. These also include non-toxic stains and finishes, often left as natural as possible.

Beams uses top-quality sustainable materials in all our kitchen materials.

Each type of wooden kitchen offers a unique aesthetic and functional appeal, catering to various tastes and home styles. The choice of wood, finish, and design elements can significantly influence the overall look and feel of the kitchen.

Glossary of useful terms involving wooden kitchens

When discussing different types of wooden kitchens, several technical terms are commonly used to describe various aspects around cabinet construction, wood types, finishes, and design elements. Here are some key technical terms to help you understand any industry jargon that might come your way:

Cabinet construction terms:

1. Face Frame: A cabinet construction method where a frame is attached to the front of the cabinet box, providing support for doors and drawers.

2. Frameless (European-style): Cabinets without a face frame, providing more accessible interior space and a sleek, modern look.

3. Inset Doors: Cabinet doors that fit flush within the frame, creating a smooth, flat front.

4. Overlay Doors: Cabinet doors that sit on top of the frame, covering the cabinet box. These can be partial or full overlay.

5. Raised Panel: Doors with a centre panel that is raised above the frame, often found in traditional and classic kitchen designs.

6. Flat Panel (Slab): Doors with a flat, solid surface, common in modern and contemporary kitchens.

7. Dovetail Joints: A joinery technique used in drawer construction, known for its strength and durability.

Wood types and grain patterns:

1. Hardwood: Dense, durable wood types from deciduous trees, such as oak, maple, cherry, and walnut.

2. Softwood: Lighter, often less dense wood from coniferous trees, such as pine, cedar, and fir.

3. Grain pattern: The natural pattern of lines in wood, which can be straight, wavy, or figured.

Straight grain: Wood fibres run parallel, creating a uniform look.

Wavy grain: Fibres create a wavy pattern, adding visual interest.

Figured grain: Unique patterns such as birdseye, quilted, or tiger stripe.

Finishes and treatments

1. Staining: Applying a coloured liquid to wood to enhance its natural grain and color.

2. Varnishing: Coating wood with a protective, often glossy finish that enhances durability.

3. Lacquering: Applying a clear or coloured finish that dries to a hard, durable surface.

4. Distressing: Intentionally ageing or weathering wood to create a rustic or vintage look.

5. Glazing: Applying a semi-transparent coating over a base stain or paint to add depth and dimension.

6. Natural finish: Using oils or waxes to protect the wood while maintaining its natural appearance.

Design and style terms

1. Shaker style: Simple, functional design with clean lines and minimal decoration, often featuring recessed panel doors.

2. Mission style: Known for its straight lines, flat panels, and sturdy construction, often made from oak.

3. Rustic: Emphasises natural, rough textures and a cosy, homey feel, often using reclaimed or distressed wood.

4. Modern/contemporary: Features sleek, minimalistic designs with flat panel doors and smooth finishes.

5. Transitional: Blends traditional and contemporary elements for a balanced, versatile look.

6. Farmhouse: Characterised by a cosy, lived-in feel with elements like open shelving, apron sinks, and a mix of painted and natural wood finishes.

7. Scandinavian: Emphasises simplicity, light colours, and natural materials, often using light woods like birch and pine.

Understanding these terms can help you better communicate your preferences and needs when designing or discussing wooden kitchens.